For the second time in less than three weeks, the MLS defending
champions came into the Earthquakes’ home stadium and walked away
winners—although this time it required penalty kicks.

RSL nailed all five of their attempts to complete a 4-3 victory over San
Jose, which could not overcome a PK miss by its first shooter, Arturo
Alvarez.

Will Johnson, Kyle Beckerman, Robbie Findley, Robbie Russell and Andy
Williams all scored during the shootout for RSL. Joey Gjertsen, Brandon
McDonald and Ramon Sanchez converted for San Jose.

Real Salt Lake will face either FC Dallas or D.C. United next month,
with the winner of that match earning a berth in the full U.S. Open Cup
field.

Following on the heels of a 3-0 win in their MLS opener, RSL looked as
though it would easily overpower the Earthquakes for a second time.

Just 7 minutes in, a botched pass in the Quakes’ defensive third—Chris
Leitch was trying to lay the ball back to Bobby Burling—afforded RSL
forward Robbie Findley a one-on-one chance with goalkeeper Jon Busch,
who was making his debut in San Jose’s goal. Busch charged out but had
no chance as Findley easily slotted the ball home.

The Quakes almost pulled even in the 27th minute when Joey Gjertsen
collected a rare RSL turnover in the midfield and turned it into a
2-on-2 breakaway. Gjertsen went wide to maneuver clear of RSL defender
Nat Borchers and fired a 15-yard shot that eluded goalkeeper Kyle
Reynish, only to bounce off the far post. Tony Beltran cleared the
rebound for RSL.

The visitors appeared to put the game nearly out of reach in the 60th
minute when 21-year-old Nelson Gonzalez scored on a 25-yard free kick
for his first goal in an RSL uniform and a 2-0 lead.

But Leitch redeemed himself in the 68th minute, driving forward into the
penalty box, cutting decisively inside and driving home a 12-yard shot
to the far post with his left foot.

San Jose forced overtime with an 88th-minute strike from Alvarez, who
turned on a pass from Ramiro Corrales and beat Reynish to the far post.

Rookie Justin Morrow made it three consecutive San Jose goals when he
converted a short through ball from Alvarez in the 103rd minute [VIDEO]. But
Borchers tied things up three minutes from time when he headed home a
cross from Russell.